Iran Holds Funeral for Supreme Leader Khamenei Killed in US-Israeli Strike
Funeral Ceremonies Begin in Tehran
Iran began days-long funeral ceremonies on July 4, 2026, for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. [4] A crowd attended the start of the days-long funeral ceremonies at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran on July 4, 2026. [4] The body of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex on Friday. [4] Mourners wept when authorities unveiled the casket containing Khamenei’s body at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran. [4] Khamenei's coffin, wrapped in an Iranian flag, was placed on a raised platform alongside the coffins of family members also killed in the February 28 strike. [3] The coffins of Iran’s slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family members are pictured at the Grand Mosalla at the start of the funeral ceremonies in Tehran on July 4, 2026. [3] Thousands of mourners gathered at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran, beating their chests, weeping and chanting while passing through strict security. [3] The ceremonies are part of an effort by Iranian authorities to portray the assassination as martyrdom and demonstrate continuity of power amid a system wounded by war. [2]
Mourners Call for Revenge
Mourners beat their chests and chanted “revenge, revenge” as thousands gathered in Tehran early on Saturday for a final farewell to assassinated supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. [3] “We have come not for the funeral but for revenge,” a eulogist at the event chanted. [3] “We’re never going to give up your blood, which is the reddest line.” [3] “We must rise up and, God willing, avenge the blood of our leader,” Hamidreza Shabani, an 18-year-old student, told AFP. [3] The mourners, some in tears, made their way through strict security towards the courtyard where Khamenei’s coffin was placed for people to pay their respects. [3] Water is sprayed on people attending a public farewell ceremony to pay their respects to late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran on July 4, 2026. [3] A child holding an image of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei rests on the day of a public farewell ceremony at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran on July 4, 2026. [3]
Coffins of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and family members lie on a platform at his Tehran funeral. — Source: iraninternational
Context of Khamenei's Assassination
Khamenei, who ruled Iran for more than three decades, was killed in US-Israeli attacks on February 28 that sparked a regional war. [3] The 86-year-old was killed in an air strike at the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran. [4] Mourners react during a public farewell ceremony to pay their respects to late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in Israeli and US airstrikes, at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran on July 4, 2026. [3] The coffin, wrapped in an Iranian flag, was unveiled on a stage from behind dark blue velvet drapes after recitations from the Quran. [3] It stood on a raised platform accompanied by the coffins of his family members also killed in the US-Israeli attack. [3]
Efforts to Demonstrate Continuity of Power
As Ali Khamenei’s coffin is carried through days of state-orchestrated mourning, the Islamic Republic is trying to recast a humiliating wartime death as martyrdom, continuity and power, and repair a system wounded by war and public distrust. [2] Iran's new IRGC chief emerged from hiding to pay his respects to the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Tehran prepared for the days-long funeral ceremonies. [4] Several hundred people were already waiting on Friday evening outside the venue for the funeral of Iran's slain supreme leader. [4] The ceremonies are part of an effort by Iranian authorities to portray the assassination as martyrdom and demonstrate continuity of power amid a system wounded by war. [2]
Mourners chant revenge at the start of Supreme Leader Khamenei's funeral ceremonies in Tehran on July 4, 2026. — Source: dawn
Australian War Crimes Allegations in Gaza
Australian Federal Police are reviewing a submission alleging an Australian citizen in the Israeli army committed war crimes in Gaza, including deliberate destruction of residential buildings. [1] The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed on Friday that they are reviewing a legal submission alleging that an Australian citizen serving in the Israeli military committed war crimes in Gaza, as the onslaught on the besieged Palestinian enclave passed its 1,000th day this week. [1] According to The Guardian Australia, a 61-page submission has been provided to the AFP detailing alleged war crimes committed by an Israeli military battalion during operations in Gaza in 2023 and 2024. [1] Prepared by the Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ), the submission alleges the deliberate targeting and destruction of residential buildings without military justification. [1] The AFP's Commander of Special Investigations, Matthew Gale, confirmed that his office had received the submission. [1] The submission reportedly draws on witness testimony, forensic evidence from Gaza, verified satellite imagery and social media posts. [1] The submission also focuses on the destruction of a residential building in a suburb of Gaza. [1] According to the ACIJ, the property was occupied by the Israeli military and used as a base before being rigged with explosives and demolished. [1] Citing United Nations estimates that around 92 per cent of residential buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, the organisation argues the evidence points to deliberate and reckless destruction. [1] The latest allegations come after the AFP announced earlier this month that it had launched inquiries into claims of abuse by Israeli officials made by Australian citizens who were abducted by the Israeli navy in international waters while aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last month. [1]
Ongoing Ukraine Conflict Toll
Russian forces suffered 1,190 casualties in the past day of fighting in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. [5] Russia has lost 1,190 soldiers killed and wounded and 100 artillery systems over the past day. [5] The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 4 July 2026 are estimated to be approximately 1,408,340 military personnel. [5] The total includes 12,074 tanks, 24,869 armoured combat vehicles, 45,325 artillery systems, 1,913 multiple-launch rocket systems, 1,469 air defence systems, 436 fixed-wing aircraft, 353 helicopters, 1,815 ground robotic systems, 389,110 operational-tactical UAVs, 4,847 cruise missiles, 33 ships/boats, 2 submarines, 115,644 vehicles and fuel tankers, and 4,385 special vehicles and other equipment. [5]
What to watch next: The AFP will review the material and issues raised in the ACIJ submission, while days-long funeral ceremonies continue in Tehran with mourners passing through strict security at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla.
